SUMI BLACK KUROGAKI GLAZING 01

76 x 76 cm Acrylic on canvas in floating frame.

The “Kurogaki Glazing” series draws inspiration from the abstracted colors of Kurogaki — black persimmon — and pottery glazing. Subtle layers and textured glazes express the essence of forests, water, gravity’s flow, and a sense of calmness and peace.

When persimmon trees are cut for timber, they typically reveal shades of milky white to light yellow. However, on rare occasions, a distinctive black hue, resembling ink, appears in the tree’s core, known as “Kurogaki.”

Encountering Kurogaki is a one-in-ten-thousand chance, making it exceptionally rare. This rarity, along with the tree’s challenging growth and timber processing difficulties, adds to its mystique and high value.

To capture this blackness, I’ve used Sumi ink, which is also derived from trees and contains hints of green that add depth and richness to the colour, much like the layers of Kurogaki itself.